Troy notes: Bounce goes Troy’s way

Tavares Williams tried not to laugh when it happened.

With Troy up 10-3 in the second quarter, Michael Taylor’s kickoff was caught by the wind and bounced off the helmet of FAU’s Rob Housler, who had turned around to block for the return.

Daniel Sheffield, a 6-foot-4 safety, batted the ball to Jorrick Calvin, who recovered the ball on the FAU 16.

Two plays later, Troy scored on a 16-yard run by DuJuan Harris. That touchdown gave Troy plenty of momentum on the way to a 30-17 win.

“It was just a lucky, good play,” Williams said. “I told Mikey Taylor that it was a once-in-a-lifetime kickoff.

“He didn’t know that the wind caught the ball, and the ball caught him right in the top of the head.”

“It was hard not to laugh, but we had to get the ball. If we got that turnover, it was a big point in the game.”

Franks says he’s OK
Starting center Danny Franks left the game early in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle, but he said he would be ready to go for the Oct. 18 game against FIU at home.

When Franks left, right guard Steven Adams shifted over to center and Wes Potter came in at right guard.

New sod
Tuesday’s game was played on new sod, as Lockhart Stadium also hosts many high school games. Because of the resodding, Troy couldn’t take part in its walkthrough Monday.

Captains
Troy captains were right tackle Dion Small, safety Tavares Williams, linebacker Bear Woods and receiver Gerald Tate. FAU won the toss and received.

Did you see that?
For the first time in his career, Jerrel Jernigan, Troy’s leading receiver, lined up on the kick cover team, but just on the first kickoff of the game. He also took a snap at quarterback.

Yet another punt returner
Cornelius Williams went back to return punts in the third quarter, making him the fifth Trojan to return punts this year. The other four are Jerrel Jernigan, Jorrick Calvin, Chip Reeves and Fred Turner.

Best/Worst
Best sack: Troy defensive end Brandon Lang wrestled FAU QB Rusty Smith down for a loss of 14 late in the first quarter.

Best thread of the needle: Troy’s Jamie Hampton fired a pass through three FAU defenders to Patrick Cherry for a gain of 19 to the FAU 6 near the end of the first quarter.

Best interception: On a 3rd and goal with 9:13 left in the first half, Troy’s Terence Moore intercepted a pass in the end zone.

Best decision: Troy went for a 4th and 2 on its second series and converted when DuJuan Harris gained 8 yards.

Worst decision: On a 3rd and 2 midway through the second quarter, Troy went with the pass and Jamie Hampton threw an interception to FAU’s Ed Alexander. The Owls scored a TD and cut the lead to 17-10.

Worst kick: Michael Taylor’s kickoff with 11:47 left in the third went well out of bounds to the left.